Here's my latest addition, arriving today. A Rio Grande fusee/flare/torpedo box. Complete with 8 unused flares!! One thing I am wondering now though, is there a way to "decomission" the flares, short of having them destroyed?? The flares and box will be display items only. Made in April, 1994. Not sure how long they stay good.
Good question. I have never heard of any way of making fusees safe. Unless to soak them in water or something. But what would that do to their appearance?
I don't know. But, I'm just getting ready to look up the manufacturer, and see if I can send an email, asking the same question, or maybe see IF there's a way to get non working, replica fusees made. Otherwise, I keep them as-is. Just being extra careful as to where I display them. Good thing is, there's no ,major heat source close to where they'd be displayed.
Friend told me about hem being kicked under the cab heater of a locomotive during winter!! After getting the chance to read the MSDS sheets, it looks as if there's no safe way to disarm a fusee. Was able to find the company, so I sent an email, asking about replica - non working - fusee/torpedo. The wait begins/continues. Update if/when I hear something.
What do those flares have as the active ingredient? I wouldn't have them within 50' of anything in my house. That stuff burns at nearly 3000° F. The older pyrotechnic stuff gets, it tends to be more and more unstable I seem to remember.
Assuming those are the kind you just pull off the cap and strike... then no, there isn't a way to "deactivate" without destruction. I don't recall these being particularly combustible. I've had them rolling round in the backseat of hi-rail trucks I drove and jammed under cab heaters, etc.. We lit the fire in a stove in the old caboose numerous times using fusees. Great fire starters, although somewhat smoky.
IIRC from 60 years ago, B&M fusees were filled with sulfur. The fusee was ignited just like a safety match, by striking a phosphorous "blob" on top of the sulfur with a chemical on top of the fusee cap. There was no way to stop the fusee from burning once it was ignited, even by putting it in water. I assume that, in addition to the sulfur, the fusee also had another chemical containing oxygen. So, if fusees are still made that way, I doubt if there's any way to disable them. They produced a hot molten mess when they burned that flowed onto whatever they were stuck into. This would char the tie they were stuck in most times, except if it was raining hard. BTW, you also mentioned torpedos. They are VERY DANGEROUS!!!!! They contain pure dynamite, which is ignited by any shock. A friend lost two fingers when he struck a torpedo with a 16 ounce short-handled maul hammer. They also go off when a rock is dropped on them. It is a wonder that kids of my generation ever lived to adulthood when there was no Federal Regulator around to protect us with bicycle helmets, knee pads, and safety nets.
Contacted the company late last night. This is the reply I received this morning, about the fusees: Thank you for your email. Flares are not ammunition so there is no way to "disarm" them. The clarifying statement is TORPEDO BOX. If you have just fusees they are not going to spontaneously ignite. Only you can ignite them. I have provided the MSDS for fusees and for torpedo's. Torpedo's are a more volatile item and should be handled carefully. In short if you have fusees only there is no reason or cause for concern in having them as a display item. I hope this satisfies your inquiry Also need to clear up one thing: I do NOT have torpedoes. I was asking about trying to get NON WORKING replica. A friend told me about the extreme danger of torpedoes. And based on that conversation, I Don't think I need those around!! In any form! When one torpedo can lift a 4 ton locomotive wheel....... Also says that torpedoes are just about impossible to get these days. One item I'm NOT gonna worry about.
